Gareth A Davies has been a sports journalist for The Daily Telegraph since 1993. He is Boxing and MMA Correspondent. Has been intrigued by fight and combat sports from a young age. Personal sporting passions are rugby, cricket, and martial arts. Also covers the Paralympic Games. Hates getting his hair cut. Follow on Twitter @GarethADaviesDT

Leading British mixed martial artist Michael Bisping, who went into
training camp in Widnes this week ahead of his headline contest with
Japanese judo expert Yoshihiro Akiyama, believes he is two victories
away from a tilt at the UFC middleweight title, currently held by
Brazilian Anderson Silva.

Bisping also believes Silva will win by submission against American
Chael Sonnen when he defends the title in Oakland, California, next
weekend at UFC 117. “If Chael Sonnen comes into the Octagon in the
right frame of mind, he will give Silva problems.”

“But I can see Silva winning this by submission, because when Sonnen
fought Nate Marquardt recently, he looked dominant on top, but he was
leaving himself open at times. If he does that against Silva, the
champion will submit him. That said, Sonnen has to get Silva to the
ground first, and that could even be an issue.”

“I’ll be watching the fight closely, because I believe I am two wins
away from fighting for that belt,” added Bisping.

The British middleweight, who meets Akiyama in London at the 02 Arena
at UFC 120, has twice been derailed in title eliminators when he lost
to Dan Henderson at UFC 100 in Las Vegas last summer, and to Wanderlei
Silva, on a knife-edge points decision defeat, in Sydney, early in
2010.

In some ways, UFC 120 could be a make or break contest for Bisping's
title hopes for next year. He told me: “I think I have seen chinks in
his armour, I’m going to come in very strong, very fit, and I’m going
to exploit him by setting a fast pace.”

The Lancastrian, who has spent the last four weeks this summer as an
actor in the popular British soap opera Hollyoaks, was in London
earlier this week for the Premiere of the A Team movie, with friend,
mentor and sparring partner Quinton Rampage Jackson playing BA Baracus
in the re-make of the Eighties movie.

Jackson told anyone who would listen this week that acting was fine,
but he was sticking to the day job, which he has taken him to being
world light-heavyweight champion.

Bisping concurred with Jackson when he made his way to the Telegraph
Media Group’s television studio, with four team-mates from his
training camp, the Wolfslair, this week.